Before they made sixteen-wheeler trucks that you see on a highway, they launched a series of pick-up trucks that farmers used and antique truckers now restore. One of them is the International 1210. Although widely used for farming, this pickup truck has an undeniably classy design, mostly with features prominent in the early '70s. If you just restored an International 1210, here are some tips on caring for it.

After all that pain trying to restore your International 1210 pickup truck to an almost new condition, the last thing you need is to find rust on its surface. The best way to prevent your vehicle from decaying is to wash it regularly even though you don't drive it often. Make sure to pay special attention to the underside as well since it's more prone to corrosion. You should also check the drain holes such as the ones along the bottoms of doors, which allow rainwater to flow out. Use a pipe cleaner to clear out these holes and keep your truck's nooks and crannies dry. Applying an oil-type spray all over your truck once a year will help, too. If ever your vehicle does get contaminated with rust on the surface, you can easily remove it using an abrasive wheel or sandpaper to cut through the paint and corrosion until you see clean, bright metal on what was the affected area. After that, repaint that area and buff until it blends with the surrounding surface.

If you're going to splurge on something when restoring your truck, then it better be the seats. Since they're some of the components you will be touching, it's best that you will be comfortable while using them. The most common material for the International 1210's seats is leather, which can deteriorate easily if you're not careful. The good news is you can extend the life of your leather seats by vacuuming it regularly to get dust, crumbs, and other particles off. If there's dirt that you can't remove by vacuum, use a soft cloth dampened with a solution of 90% water and 10% neutral wool detergent solution and wipe off the dirt carefully. Just make sure to buff the cleaned area with a dry cloth to remove any remaining moisture, which could damage the leather. However, if you want to prevent your leather seats from getting stained in the first place, your best bet would be to use seat covers for their protection.

The most common problem you'll have with your pickup is when the exhaust system gets contaminated with corrosion. If you want your truck's exhaust to last for 8 years or more instead of the usual 2 to 3, then you should clean the muffler once you notice the exhaust emitting dark smoke. Simply use a dry rag and a solution of a quart of warm water mixed with one teaspoon of dishwashing soap to wipe off soot and dirt from the outside of the components. If you prefer, you could also drill a couple of drainage holes, about 1/8" in diameter, in the lowest part of the exhaust system. This helps prevent condensation inside the exhaust system, which is the primary cause of corrosion.

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